Blogs

STATEMENT OF NORMAN SIEGEL - December 13, 2008, at rally sponsored by the South Beach Civic Association

I am here today to say NO to the Mayor's plan to close firehouses. Although our City is facing a legitimate budget problem, we cannot and must not solve the projected budget deficit by creating a potential hazard to the public safety of any New Yorker. The closing of firehouses creates a potential danger to residents of New York City.

As it has done for more than 40 years, the Village Voice picks a NYC honor roll each Thanksgiving to pay homage to those who work in the trenches, going about the "tough, everyday work of remedying inequality" and honoring "those who have stood tall against abuses of power."

Norman Siegel, is described by Tom Robbins of the Village Voice, as a veteran anti-poverty and civil rights lawyer who "has long been the city's steadiest defender of civil liberties and an innovative advocate for the powerless."

On Monday, November 10th, Norman, along with Randy Mastro and other attorneys of The law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, filed a federal lawsuit challenging the extension of term limits from 2 to 3 terms without a public referendum. Below is Norman’s statement regarding that lawsuit:

Today, we filed an important civil rights lawsuit regarding the extension of term limits from 2 to 3 terms.

The lawsuit is filed on behalf of 26 Plaintiffs, including voters, elected officials, citizens who aspire to be elected officials and good government groups.

Norman's statement at City Hall on Monday, November 3rd, prior to the Mayor's signing of the bill extending term limits.

Mr. Mayor, where I grew up in Brooklyn we were taught that whenever we were critical of someone we were to tell them why we disagreed with them face to face. So, this morning I will respectfully do exactly that.

As you’ve probably heard by now, a majority of the City Council voted on Thursday to overturn the decision of voters, as expressed in 1993 and 1996, to limit officeholders to two four-year terms. Norman and a group of other lawyers are preparing to challenge their decision to vote for the third term instead of taking it to the public via referendum. We thought we’d share the following quote in Friday’s New York Times article “The Future of Term Limits Is in Court”:

On Sunday, September 7th, Norman spoke at a rally on the steps of City Hall to inaugurate The People Have Spoken Coalition, a group opposing the potential extension of term limits. The New York Times blog, City Room, covered the event... this was Norman’s statement:

On Sunday, August 24th, Norman received the Political Awareness Award from the 42nd A.D. Democratic Club at its Annual Awards Luncheon. The plaque salutes Norman as an advocate and protector of the civil liberties of all mankind. The 42nd A.D. Democcratic Club is Assemblywoman Rhoda Jacobs's home club in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn.

On March 28, we had our first Lawyers for Norman Siegel organizing breakfast, a discussion between Norman and twenty other lawyers representing many different firms. That set the stage for the Lawyers for Norman Siegel Kick Off Party at Skadden, Arps, Slate Meager & Flom on Wednesday, June 26. More than a hundred lawyers came out to show their support; you can view the video further down on the page.

NYPD and the Cyclists:

Check out the NYT link below, written by James Barron, and read about Norman's role regarding the controversy of the NYPD and the bikers of Critical Mass. Here is yet another example of how Norman is a perfect fit for the role of NYC Public Advocate!